Negotiations underway to reopen Kyansangkyawt border gate
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Htet Nadi/Pearl (NP News) - Dec 24
A trader told The Statesman Journal that there is potential to reopen the Kyansangkyawt border trade gate which is a trade checkpoint between Myanmar and China, located within Muse 105-mile trade zone.
Officials are currently holding negotiations to reopen the gate and it is reportedly possible that it could be reopened by the end of 2025.
The above- mentioned trader told the Statesman “Whether the Kyansangkyawt gate will be reopened depends on the outcome of ongoing discussions. We can see gradual progress step by step. It remains to be seen whether it will reopen after the election, earlier than that, or by the end of December this year. What is certain is that the Kyansangkyawt route will eventually be reopened. There is strong potential, considering the current security situation along the road, ongoing negotiations, and the willingness of the Chinese side.”
Currently, due to the closure of the Kyansangkyawt gate, traders have to export their goods to China through the Kengtung and Mongla gates. As these routes take longer and incur higher transportation costs, traders are facing lower profit margins and price pressure in the market.
Therefore, traders are hoping that the Kyansangkyawt gate will be reopened as soon as possible.
The trader continued, “Transportation costs from Mandalay to Kyansangkyawt are around three million kyats by truck, and the journey takes one to two nights. However, transportation costs via Mongla exceed 10 million kyats, and the journey takes seven to eight days. Since we are exporting fresh produce, market competitiveness depends heavily on transportation routes. Currently, exporting via Mongla reduces our competitiveness. Kyansangkyawt offers better market advantages, which is why fruit exporters are strongly hoping for the reopening of the Kyansangkyawt gate.”
Due to the closure of this gate, not only Myanmar traders but also Chinese businesspeople are reportedly facing difficulties.
“Businesspeople from both Myanmar and China are holding discussions. For China’s Yunnan Province, the closure of this route has caused significant hardship. Companies and businesspeople in Yunnan are struggling to operate. Investors from other provinces who had invested in Yunnan have begun returning home. Many from Jiegao have already left. That is why China also wants this gate to be reopened,” the source added.